A blog about my efforts to help raise awareness of the increase of horrific birth defects and cancer in Fallujah, Iraq

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No. More. War.

I don’t know where to start this post or what to say. I have been wanting to write something for this blog for weeks. Months. Ever since the Birth Defects in FGH (Fallujah General Hospital) stopped posting Facebook updates on the birth defects, because of the fighting there. Instead, a doctor in Fallujah has been posting a running total of the casualties, which I follow on the Facebook page of Muhamad Al-Darraji (a native of Fallujah who was in the documentary featured earlier in this blog, here).

Like this one from June 13th: The total civilian casualties of Fallujah people since the beginning of war against Anbar people so far, were 1657 wounded civilians and 443 killed.

The hospital was damaged in the fighting. A hospital…

I wondered about the families, and all those babies whose pictures are in these pages. What was happening to them? I tried to keep up the best I could, but I felt overwhelmed and helpless. And ignorant. What could I possibly do to help, what could I say about a situation that I know so little about, despite caring about deeply?

And now, I feel all of those things, plus anger, and great sadness. I am saddened that my President, the Nobel peace prize winner, announced today that he is sending troops to Iraq, ostensibly to protect US citizens, even as he says that the troops will be combat ready. I am distressed at the statement by my Secretary of State that we are considering sending drones. More of our bombs to kill innocent men woman and children. Bombs kill indiscriminately, as much as they would like us to believe that they will only kill the “terrorists”. And as this blog attests, weapons cause damage way after the fighting stops.

I am angry that the same cabal of war mongering neocons who started this mess with their lies is being brought out of the closet by our brain dead media and being asked “what should we do now”. Really appalling. (See here) What we should have done is prosecute them for war crimes. They wanted to occupy Iraq, for political power, money, empire, and greed, all of the above. And look at it now…this is on their hands.

But I agree with the few sane talking heads who are saying that US intervention will only cause more harm, more bloodshed, and more upheaval. I wonder what would have happened had the events after 9/11 had played out in a different way, had we prosecuted the perpetrators of the bombings through the judicial system, rather than militarily? (and of course Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11). We can’t change history but we can decide the future.

And once again mainstream media plays a role in deciding that future, just as they did in the march to the initial invasion. Painting pictures of black and white, good vs. evil, us against the “terrorists”, the same memes that paved the way for the occupation. I have seen it over and over in my work and now in this, we are woefully mislead by our media elites. Uninformed.

What can we do? Become educated for one thing. I have read everything I could find from the non-mainstream press and have tried to become informed on what is really happening. Listen to this interview on Democracy Now with Raed Jarrar. Read this article by my friend Ross Caputi. And this one by Falah Alwan , President of the Federation of Workers’ Councils and Unions in Iraq. Both good analyses of the causes of the current sectarian violence as well as possible solutions that don’t involve drones and US troops. Seek out these alternative voices. Don’t believe what your government and your mainstream anchors tell you. Call our representatives, protest.

And remember the babies. I can only hope that they are safe. Remember that our bombs caused this (the only posting from the Birth Defects in FGH since the beginning of the year. I can’t believe that they are the only ones)

No. More. War. No more bloodshed on our hands. Fight for a peaceful solution to the violence. It’s the only way…

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6 thoughts on “No. More. War.”

The amount of indifference the mass majority of US citizens have is overwelming. It is good this awareness you are raising, but the scale of rape was as bad. The proof is right there to find if somoene only looks for it. I am south african and live in the country with the highest rape statistic and the violence to go with it, and nothing I have seen here matches the USA lack of respect for races other than their own. I am not a muslim and have never had any reason to dislike the USA but I have been so horified by the footage I have seen and info I have gotten I can’t even watch US tv anymore without it crossing my mind so I just quit. Point is the usa are breeding enemies and people hate you. That has conscieciounces for your own poeple as that is all most seem to care about perhaps you can use that to begin waking them up. Point to ponder the Nazis didn’t think they were the bad guys either they thought they were the goog guys forcing their ways and vision on the world with no respect for human life. Sound familiar. Sorry for the rant just sooo gratefull to find somoene who cares. I will pray for the babies and their families and that the poeple with. the power to put a stop to things like this the american public

More Americans NEED to see these pictures. These are innocent little babies! They are NOT terrorist, they are babies! What have we done to these poor people? Why are their babies coming out like this?
I wish more people would start asking questions and demanding answers. This is extremely scary!
I appreciate the brave people that have come forward to share things like this with the world.
I will never be able to look at my own children again without seeing these images in my head and wondering if these babies are alive and what kind of childhood will they have and what are the mother’s going through? My heart is broken for these innocent little babies!

I am from the UK and am as anti war as you are. I’m trying on my Facebook page to explain just what’s happening I also support the refugees but I’m not really getting anywhere. Have shared your page because if this will not show people then God knows what will thank you from Maggie Yeaman in the UK. X

I’ve been met with such resistance it literally breaks my heart. Sentiments like we fought for the likes of you are told to me allot. But I as a pacifist don’t believe in war so it’s not in my name. This world is sooooooo cruel there has to be a better way. Xxxx